three people celibrate reaching the top of a snow covered peak

ZEAL EXPLORER

Ryan Waters

person with red and black coat with fur hood and blue lens ski goggles battles the cold
Meet Ryan Waters

Raised in Marietta, Georgia, Ryan Waters began gravitating towards the outdoors at a very young age and has sought the earth’s farthest corners ever since. After doing a three-year office stint, Waters traded it all in to pursue his love of climbing, living out of his truck and exploring in earnest. Ryan launched a guiding company, Mountain Professionals, in 2005 and has since mounted 14 expeditions up 8,000 meter peaks, guided all Seven Summits, skied across Greenland and Antartica, and has his sights set on even bigger missions.

Waters has worked with Zeal Optics since partnering with the brand on a glasses exchange program. "We took old shades people had turned in for discounted new sunglasses to Nepal and donated them to a porters program. I have been psyched to work with Zeal Optics ever since," adds Waters.

"Travel has inspired a lot of learning and passion in my own life. Whether sitting on the floor of a Pakistani kitchen drinking tea over the fire, or sipping mate with a Gaucho in Chile, all things mountain and outdoors are my passions."

- Ryan Waters

Explore More

a group of snow hikers cheer at the summit of a mountain

Politics Aside, A Summit Story to the Top of Mt. Elbrus by Mountaineer Ryan Waters

The thought of traveling to Russia for adventure isn’t all that common to Americans. Many from my generation may picture stereotypes of people waiting in bread lines in the overcast winter with a sickle and hammer grasped firmly under the coat.

man in blue coat walking through an Everest base camp

Ryan Waters: Everest Interview

Outdoor mountaineer and Expedition Guide Ryan Waters was recently interviewed by Polar Explorer Eric Larsen on the tragedy and resulting triage that occurred following the Everest Earthquake in April.

a skier taking a picture of himself in the goggle lens reflection of another skier

Catching Up With Polar Explorer Eric Larsen

Life is about choosing your path, walking the talk, and backing up ideas with the force of character. Eric Larsen’s path is perhaps the least traveled on the planet, polar exploration, and his accomplishments definitely speak for themselves.